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A Microcomputer Network for Mining Machine Control.

This paper details the computer hardware and software integrated to provide computer-assisted control and monitoring of four different coal mining machines. The backbone of each system is a U.S. Bureau of Mines integrated distributed microcomputer control network called BoM/net. The network provides connections for intelligent sensors and systems that provide for navigation, diagnostics, and computer control. Many different computer systems using various operating systems (including rmx I, unix, vxworks, dos, and DCx51) have been connected to the network, and each has had complete network functionality. A description of the network's integration to Joy 16cm, Joy 14cm, and Jeffrey 102 continuous mining machines, and a custom-built auger machine is provided. The networks for the Joy 16cm, the Joy 14cm, and the Jeffrey 102 have been installed and extensively tested at the Bureau's surface test facility. The Jeffrey 102 system has also been tested in a highwall coal seam. The Joy 14cm will soon be tested underground.